# US 8,148,917 B2 · Flashlight > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,148,917 B2 - Document ID: US8148917B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/690,169 - Filed: 2010-01-20 - Published: 2010-05-13 - Granted: 2012-04-03 - Earliest claimed: 2005-10-07 - Assignees: Black & Decker Inc. - Inventors: Scott Hilt; Bradley J. Mealy; David A. Carrier; Andrew E. Seman, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8148917B2 ## CPC - H05B 41/32: for single flash operation - F21L 4/06: with the light source coupled to the remainder of the device solely by cable - F21V 21/406: {for portable lighting devices} - F21V 23/00: Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices {(characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/508)} - F21V 23/0414: {specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices} - H02J 7/70: characterised by the mechanical construction - F21L 4/00: Electric lighting devices with self-contained electric batteries or cells - F21V 21/32: Flexible tubes - Y10S 362/802: Position or condition responsive switch - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - F21L: LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF, BEING PORTABLE OR SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR TRANSPORTATION - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A flashlight in accordance with an aspect of the invention includes an ID module for generating an ID signal indicative of a power mode of the flashlight. In an aspect, the flashlight mates with a removable battery pack that regulates at least one of an output voltage and output current in accordance with the ID signal. In an aspect, the flashlight includes a printed circuit board (PCB) on which the ID module is mounted. In an aspect, the flashlight includes a soft-start module and a bulb, wherein the soft start module increases power to the bulb at a controlled rate when the flashlight is turned on. In an aspect, the flashlight includes a lamp housing having a lens retained by a bezel. The lens includes an axially extending peripheral edge. In an aspect, the flashlight includes a main housing having a lamp housing. A mounting mechanism and mating features are adapted to selectively couple and decouple the main housing and the lamp housing. In an aspect, a flexible conduit connects the main housing and lamp housing. The flexible conduit can be formed in an arc having an apex that lies directly above a center of gravity of the flashlight when the main housing and the lamp housing are coupled, thereby allowing the flashlight to be balanced when the flexible conduit is used as a carrying handle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flashlight, comprising: a housing having a removable battery pack engaging portion that engages a removable battery pack and including electrical contacts that engage contacts of the battery pack, the engaging portion electrical contacts including at least one power contact and at least one identification contact; a bulb electrically coupled to the at least one power contact through a switch; and an identification module coupled to the identification contact and providing an identification signal indicative of a power mode of the flashlight through the identification contact to the battery pack. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power mode of the flashlight is a rated voltage of the bulb and the identification signal is indicative of the rated voltage of the bulb. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the identification module includes an electronic component a value of which is indicative of the rated voltage of the bulb. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the electronic component is a resistor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4 where the rated voltage of the bulb is any of an average voltage or a RMS voltage. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the identification module provides the identification signal upon being powered by the battery pack. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing of the flashlight includes a printed circuit board mounted therein and a connector containing the housing contacts, the printed circuit board having the connector, the identification module and the switch mounted thereon. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7 including a filter circuit electrically coupled between the power contact of the flashlight and the bulb, the filter circuited mounted on the printed circuit board. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the filter circuit includes an LC filter and a free-wheeling diode. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8 and further including a fuse mounted on the printed circuit board, the fuse electrically connected in series with the power contact of the flashlight. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7 wherein components mounted on the printed circuit board include adhesive applied thereto to secure them to the printed circuit board to enhance drop/impact resistance. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the components to which adhesive is applied include the identification module, switch and connector. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the switch extends laterally through the housing and projects, when in an on position, out of one side of the housing and when in an off position, out of an opposite side of the housing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the switch extends laterally through the housing and projects, when in an on position, out of at least one side of the housing and when in an off position, out of an opposite side of the housing.